Ranveer Singh issues an apology after facing backlash for imitating Rishabh Shetty’s Kantara Daiva scene: ‘If I’ve hurt…’

Ranveer Singh apologises for hurting people's cultural sentiments after facing backlash for imitating Rishabh Shetty's Kantara Daiva scene. Read what he said.

In the glitzy and glamorous world of showbiz, every move of celebrities is often seen diligently, every statement becomes a headline, and a single moment can spark controversy, debate, and social media outrage. Something similar happened with Ranveer Singh this week. What began as a light-hearted admiration for Rishabh Shetty’s work turned into a massive social media storm, forcing the actor to issue a public apology. Ranveer Singh, who is all geared up with his release of Dhurandhar on 5th December, 2025, unexpectedly found himself battling online trolls over a few seconds of on-stage mimicry.

What Happened at IFFI?

A few days ago, at the closing ceremony of the 56th International Film Festival of India (IFFI) in Goa, Ranveer Singh, while appreciating Rishab Shetty’s work in his film Kantara: A Legend Chapter-1, imitated his Daiva scene. According to the report, “Ranveer stuck his tongue out and imitated the sacred Daiva scene from the Kannada film.”

He further referred to the local folk god Daiva as a “female ghost,” saying, “I watched Kantara Chapter 1 in theatres, and Rishab, it was an outstanding performance, especially when the female ghost (Chamundi daiva) enters your body, that shot was amazing.”

After coming down from the stage, Ranveer even hugged Rishab and attempted to mimic the scene again as a playful gesture. Rishab reportedly laughed but raised a finger, signalling Ranveer to stop.

Why Was Ranveer Trolled?

Soon after this, the clip of Ranveer Singh imitating Rishabh Shetty’s acting went viral. Several users found his act disrespectful and labelled him as a “clown.” Many even questioned his knowledge for calling the folk gods Daiva a “female ghost.”

The trolling grew so intense that Ranveer had to respond.

Ranveer Singh Issues a Public Apology

The following morning, Ranveer took to Instagram to clear the air and apologised. His statement read: “My intention was to highlight Rishab’s incredible performance in the film. Actor to actor, I know how much it would take to perform that particular scene in the way that he did, for which he has my utmost admiration. I have always deeply respected every culture, tradition and belief in our country. If I’ve hurt anyone’s sentiments, I sincerely apologise.”

Where Things Stand Now

Ranveer Singh is currently gearing up for his next project, Dhurandhar, which is all set to release on December 5.